US opens commercial service office in Western Australia

4/10/2013

US opens commercial service office in Western Australia

BY STEPHEN BELL

PERTH -- The United States has opened a commercial service office in Western Australia State, reflecting an investment surge driven largely by United States energy companies seeking to export natural gas to Asia, the United States’ top diplomat in Australia said.

The official launch signals the United States isn't just investing in Australia's key resources state for a boom period, Ambassador Jeffrey Bleich told reporters at a media conference.

"There is great promise for long-term prosperity in Western Australia and we are committed to a long-term relationship out here" he said. "There is nowhere that we are betting more heavily than here."

Companies such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Apache, General Electric and Caterpillar are investing heavily in projects that can help meet rising Asian demand for commodities and energy.

Chevron is leading development of the Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG, projects in Western Australia State worth a combined $80 billion. Exxon is an investor in Gorgon, and this month sought regulatory approval to develop the offshore Scarborough gas field using the world's biggest floating LNG vessel.

The Perth office will offer local businesses access to thousands of United States companies, many of them export oriented and looking to invest in Western Australia, Mr. Bleich said.

The Perth commercial division, located in the United States consulate, will complement similar offices in Canberra and Sydney in eastern Australia.